Announcements

I’d like to share information with you about Extra Help, a federally funded program that helps people on Medicare save an average of $4,000 a year on their Part D expenses and prescription medications. This program:

Reduces or eliminates the Part D premium

Reduces or eliminates the Part D annual deductible

Reduces the copay for prescription drugs

Eliminates the doughnut hole

You can change plans at any time during the year, not only during open enrollment

We also can assist with filling out the applications for state funded Medical Assistance Plans that help with Medicare Part A and/or B premiums, deductibles, and co-pays.

In addition to help with prescriptions, we have information on preventive Health Services for people on Medicare. Medicare provides coverage for many tests, vaccinations as well as well patient visits. These preventive services are covered for people of all incomes.

We have information on the new Medicare Cards.

I am glad to visit with you more about Extra Help. Give me a call at 405-522-3074 . Anyone interested in applying can do so by calling 405-521-2281.

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211 Oklahoma is pleased to announce the official launch of its new website, designed to work on any device, and built around a powerful new search engine that makes it easier than ever for users to find what they need. The 211OK website is quick and easy access to more than 10,000 services in the statewide 211 Oklahoma database.

The new site is location-aware and uses the location from your computer or mobile device (if enabled) to show results for all locations offering the searched service. Starting a search is as easy as typing a need in the search bar. We’ve also organized information in easy to navigate categories with common language names. Results are statewide and can be narrowed to show services near the user. With a single click, users can call the agency, visit a website, or get directions. The site also has a Spanish translation feature. Locations are plotted on an interactive map, allowing users to quickly see the services nearest them.

Assuring Safety in a Power Outage

The threat of upcoming severe winter weather shows potential for a number of Oklahomans to be without power for hours and even days. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reminds those affected by a power outage to be mindful of safe practices to prevent illness and injury.

Food Safety

OSDH recommends the following guidelines for refrigerated and frozen foods to citizens or food establishments which have been without power for more than four hours:

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.

Discard any potentially hazardous foods such as meats, eggs, dairy products and leftovers when the power has been off for more than four hours. When in doubt, throw it out.

Frozen foods in a freezer can normally be kept up to 48 hours without power. A frozen product that has thawed should not be refrozen—it should be used immediately or thrown away.

Water Safety

Residents in rural areas may also be without water during a power outage. If the safety of the water is not known, it is recommended to vigorously boil the water for at least one minute to prevent potential waterborne illnesses. Safe water would include store-bought bottled water, or uninterrupted city water. Untreated water should not be used to prepare foods, wash hands or brush teeth.

Heat Safety

It’s important to use caution when heating a home with a fireplace, space heater or wood stove, using them only when they are properly vented. Never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or similar devices inside the house, in basements, in garages or near windows. Don’t use gas appliances such as an oven, range or clothes dryer to heat your home. Improper use of such devices can lead to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

For more information about winter weather safety, visit http://go.usa.gov/cZ454. Preparedness information also is available in English, Spanish and American Sign Language by visiting the OSDH YouTube channel and selecting the Preparedness playlist.

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Oklahoma State Department of Health

For Release: January 12, 2017

Prevent to Protect: Prevent Infections for Baby’s Protection

January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month and The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is working closely with the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) to raise awareness of infections, like Cytomegalovirus (CMV), that may cause birth defects.

CMV is a common virus that infects people of all ages. More than half of adults have been infected with CMV by age 40. Most people infected with CMV do not become ill from the virus, but if a pregnant woman is exposed to the virus for the first time during her pregnancy she may spread the virus to her unborn baby.

When a baby is born with CMV infection, it is called congenital CMV. About one out of every 150 babies is born with congenital CMV infection and most babies with congenital CMV infection never show signs or have health problems. However, about one in five babies will have long-term health problems such as hearing loss, vision loss, intellectual disability, small head size, lack of coordination, cerebral palsy, seizures, and weakness or problems using muscles.

One such child is Parker, who was born with signs of CMV infection at birth. He had severe bruising, blood spots from the top of his head to his toes, cerebral palsy, and an enlarged liver and spleen. Parker spent nine days in the NICU where he was diagnosed with congenital CMV infection. As a result of the infection, Parker has had numerous surgeries to correct his vision and to improve his hearing. Today, Parker is thriving with the help of physical, occupational and speech therapies and a structured environment. He is a happy and healthy three-year-old who loves Toy Story, Mickey Mouse, singing, dancing and his big sister.

Pregnant women are most likely to get CMV from young children. CMV is passed from young children to pregnant women through urine or saliva during diaper changes, sharing of eating utensils or exchanging saliva when kissing. The NBDPN warns pregnant women against putting a young child’s food, utensils, drinking cups or pacifiers in their mouth to reduce their exposure to CMV. Regular hand washing is one of the best ways to remove germs and prevent the spread of germs to others.

OSDH continues to work with healthcare professionals, birthing hospitals, and advocate groups around the state to raise awareness of infections that can cause birth defects.

Oklahoma’s Zika threat pales compared to West Nile
The Zika virus, which can cause devastating birth defects, has led to public fear but poses much less risk in Oklahoma than another mosquito-borne disease. Kristy Bradley, state epidemiologist for the state Health Department, said there have been no reports of locally acquired Zika in the United States, outside of two areas of Miami, Fla.
On the other hand, West Nile virus, which is transmitted by a different type of mosquito, has killed 53 people in Oklahoma since 2002 and has forced the hospitalization of dozens of others.
Some of those stricken with West Nile have been paralyzed or suffered encephalitis.
“Many have long-standing complications and never fully recover,” she said.
Bradley testified Wednesday before Oklahoma legislators examining the risks of Zika.
There have been 26 travel-associated cases of the disease in Oklahoma, including one pregnant woman.
There is no vaccine or medicine to treat the virus, which:
• Is transmitted by the Aedes-species mosquito and also can be transmitted sexually.
• Can lead to flu-like symptoms, lasting as long as a week.
• Can cause severe birth defects including microcephaly (abnormally small head), eye defects, hearing loss and impaired growth. Pregnant women are advised to stay out of areas where local transmission is occurring.
• Doesn’t pose a risk for birth defects in babies conceived after the disease has cleared a woman’s blood.
Bradley said there are several reasons for thinking Zika may not end up posing major problems in this country.
“There is a consensus among U.S. health experts that Zika will not become widespread in the United States,” she said.
The mosquitoes that spread the disease fly only about 200 yards in their lifetime and prefer human blood.
Only small numbers of this particular species of mosquito have been found in Oklahoma.
Any potential outbreaks would likely take place in heavily populated areas, where people spend a lot of time outdoors and there is adequate breeding habitat like areas of standing water.
The West Nile virus poses much more of a health challenge because it is carried by the Culex mosquito in a disease transmission cycle that includes birds that can travel long distances.
This type of mosquito increases in numbers during mid- to late-summer when the temperatures climb and the weather pattern is drier.
People over 50 are at greater risk of developing serious complications from West Nile, including serious illness involving the nervous system.
Mosquito activity is highest during early morning and evening hours.
Health officials advise use of insect repellents and recommend draining or treating standing water with a mosquito larvicide.

Fall is just around the corner, but falls shouldn’t be just around the corner for older adults. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), along with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) is celebrating the ninth annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day on September 22. Ready, Steady, Balance: Prevent Falls 2016 will highlight three goals that all older adults have the power to achieve:
1. Be ready: Education is the most important step to being ready to prevent a fall. There are resources online to help older adults understand their risk of falling. They can also enroll in evidence-based falls prevention programs to learn how to address their fear of falling and what they can do to sustain their strength.
2. Be steady: Older adults can be steady if they take simple steps to prevent falls. These include talking with a doctor about medications, getting hearing and vision checkups, and assessing living spaces for hazards.
3. Be balanced: Falls prevention is a team effort that takes a balance of education, preparation, and community support. Falls Prevention Awareness Day is an opportunity to take a look at the world around us, be aware of falls hazards, and think about how we can make changes that help our parents, grandparents, aging neighbors, and even ourselves from falls.
Nationally, falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms in every age group except 15-24 years. Falls are the leading cause of injury death among adults 65 years and older. Every year in Oklahoma, about 7,000 older adults are hospitalized and more than 450 die from a fall. Acute care hospital charges alone total more than $250 million dollars a year.
The Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance program has been proven to reduce the risk of falls. In Oklahoma, many individuals have been trained as Tai Chi instructors and teach classes around the state to older adults. This exercise program focuses on improving functional abilities such as, balance and physical function to reduce fall-related risks and frequency of falls. Oklahoma seniors are invited to join a local Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance class.
To receive more information on the classes and how to prevent falls, contact the OSDH Injury Prevention Service at (405) 271-3430 or visithttp://falls.health.ok.gov.

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*** Transfer your prescriptions for free ***

We are happy to announce that we are accepting prescriptions transfers from Tyler Drug in Wetumka. We accept most insurance plans. Contact Christopher J Tyler, Dph at our pharmacy, (405) 452-5400 to check your drug availability.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: ECOFHC Administration Office

May 6, 2016 405-452-3151

ddyer@ecofhc.org

East Central Oklahoma Family Health Center, Inc. (ECOFHC) Is Pleased To Announce The Receipt Of A $1,000,000 Grant To Construct A New Health Center In Henryetta To Serve More Patients.

Donna Dyer, CEO stated: “On Wednesday, May 4, 2016, East Central Oklahoma Family Health Center, Inc. was notified of the receipt of a $1,000,000 grant to construct a new Health Center building in Henryetta to provide primary health care, dental health care and behavioral health care services in one location. This state of the art building project has resulted from a collaborative effort between ECOFHC, the City of Henryetta, EPA and ODEQ. This project is supported by state and federal elected officials”. ECOFHC-Henryetta will be located at U.S. Hwy 75 and U.S Hwy 266. ECOFHC is in the planning process at this time and project will be completed within 3 years.

Dyer states the “ECOFHC’s mission is to provide affordable, high quality, patient centered health care for East Central Oklahoma. This is an exciting time for ECOFHC and Henryetta”.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under C8DCS29734, Health Infrastructure Investment Program in the amount of $1,000,000. 24.46% of this project is funded through non-federal and local resources. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

August 11, 2015 – Today, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Burwell announced approximately $169 million in grant funding to communities across America to support new sites and expand access at health centers. Oklahoma received five awards: Lawton Community Health Center (Comanche County Hospital Authority) for Stephens and Jefferson counties; East Central Oklahoma Family Health Center, Inc. for Wewoka in Seminole County; Morton Comprehensive Health Services, Inc. for the Sandy Park Apartment Complex in Sand Springs; Oklahoma Community Health Services, Inc. dba Variety Care for Northwest Oklahoma City; and Panhandle Counseling Health Services, Inc. for Guymon in Texas County (a New Start grantee). The five awards total $3,809,085 and will provide health services to an additional 16,333 Oklahomans.

“This funding will help five more communities get access to the care they need at an affordable price,” said Dee Porter, CEO, Oklahoma Primary Care Association (OKPCA), the association representing health centers across the state. “We are thrilled for the twentieth health center organization in this state as well as the satellite sites funded.”

Oklahoma community health centers (CHCs), as public-private partnerships governed by a patient-majority board, work to improve the health of communities by ensuring access to high-quality primary health care services. CHCs offer a sliding-fee scale to qualifying patients, and see people with or without medical coverage. Services include primary medical care, dental and behavioral health and are cost-effective, patient-centered health homes. There are now 20 CHC organizations with 77 sites located in 43 counties across the state, serving almost 177,000 Oklahomans – promoting better health for more people at the lowest cost.

“Since health centers are community-based and locally governed, this will make a huge impact on families and individuals in the area,” continued Porter. “With new, affordable health insurance options available, CHCs are key partners in helping uninsured Oklahomans find health coverage.”

The announcement was made as part of National Health Center Week, an annual celebration that highlights the many accomplishments of the America’s health centers – which include 9,000 sites serving nearly 23 million people. OKPCA is the state association for community health centers (CHCs) and other safety-net providers. With more than 77 sites across Oklahoma, CHCs are increasingly becoming the trusted provider of choice for many families, insured or uninsured. Health centers see everyone – and offer a sliding fee scale to patients at or below 200% federal poverty level. For more information on community health centers in Oklahoma, visit www.okpca.org.

WELCOME:

ECOFHC is pleased to welcome Ashley Dexter, Registered Dental Hygienist. Ashley will be seeing patients on Monday and Wednesday in Henryetta and Tuesday and Thursday in Wetumka. She began seeing patients on July 6, 2015.